Bored and tired of waiting, Malich dresses and joins Arya just in time to catch her in his arms when she collapses, all of her energy spent. For a merciless killer, Arya had a huge heart. It’s just like her to give to those she feels responsible for with no regard for herself. It’s who she is…a walking, talking, breathing contradiction. He carries her back to her palace bed and watches while she sleeps for three moons.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡnupzlpOz1j
“I have our best searching for your parents but we have come up empty handed,” Mekhi informs him.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0f91qVnhi
“Keep looking. Kahlem won’t let my parents out of his sight. He’s too afraid to lose his leverage over me,” Malich paces. “I do not intend to marry princess Grayson and I do not wish to break Arya’s heart.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhZERCpxxM
Mekhi nods and exits the room as Alara enters for the hundredth time to check on her sister. “Someone should have stopped her from depleting her power like this,” Alara scoffs angrily, “Look at her. She’s a sitting duck.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VhuvDUjcW
“Didn’t think you cared so much. Or perhaps you came here to finish the job you started with her throat. Why are you hereAlara?”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2WSbYi7mA
She blanches as if shocked by his question. “She’s my sister Prince Jarrah. What I did before…I regretted it the moment I did it. All I’ve ever wanted is to get to know her but…”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1RpFI15gz
“But what?”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlu8P0LKkY
Alara shakes whatever thought she’s having out of her head and focus’ on Arya. “Does she know you were the one to separate us? That you’ve known about me this whole time and purposely chose not to tell her?” She asks.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX1DPdB8kY
“You hurt her.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKZA9FibKy
“I didn’t do it on purpose, I just didn’t know how to control it!” Alara shouts angrily at him. copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBTfKJgwuA
“And what exactly is itAlara? This darknesssurrounding you? It wasn’t always there. You wielded the light, the same as she. What happened to you when you slipped my soldiers?”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaxwNnJpv3
Alara swallows hard, but she gives nothing in the form of an explanation. “I love my sister. If you try to interfere with our relationship, I’ll tell her everything. How long do you think she’ll stand by you when she finds out about all of the secrets you’ve been keeping?”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeNnOX268M
“Is that a threat Darkin?”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡFToz99jpGN
“Take it as you wish, just stopcoming between us. Stop influencing her to shut me out.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbXxHLUqbq
“Not until you answer all of my questions, like who had your son. It wasn’t Kahlem. My brother is a lot of things but he’s not the baby-snatching kind.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzEhXsfZzn
“Just stop coming between us or it’ll be your throat I slit next,” Alara threatens him.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfgbPqk8P0
Malich huffs a laugh, “And how well did that work out for you the last time girl? Sister or not, I will wipe you off the face of the planes for good if you ever lift a finger to hurt her or threaten me again.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPcTmTFhkQ
Alara glares at him then turns on her heel stomping off down the hall. Arya begins to stir and for a moment fear grips his heart wondering if she heard their conversation. When she smiles at the sight of him, he realizes she hasn’t.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOqm6nPlnp
“My citizens?”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9EZlupFCf
“In their homes,” he smiles back, “and happy.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy4SsqM7I6
“How long have I been out?”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqUpM0MCla
“Three moons. You shouldn’t take risks like that Arya.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14kG4FaukM
Arms outstretched like a cat, arching her back, Arya stretches before climbing to her feet. She saunters over to him and presses her lips to his. “Was I dreaming or did you carry me back here in your arms like a night in shining armor?” She smirks.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1lOUNfGVX
“Well I got about one hundred meters before I had to call for a wagon you were so heavy,” he teases. She swats his arm and he laughs.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUnHjaI6M4
Laughing she tells him, “You’re an arse.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN9AtdgEIA
“So you keep telling me,” his eyes rake over her. “You’re still here though, so you must like it.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsCMgwAwdv
“Eh…I like someparts of you,” Arya’s eyes drop to his favorite organ. Again he laughs. copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZqRHK1pRN
“I must get back to the Summer Court. My absence has been noted and my brothers would like to embark on another round of who has the bigger cock.” Arya groans, hinting at her disapproval. “I know-I know, but Eli and Lila have been brought here at your request and I’ve released, Lumi, Rayu and Jax to your service. They’re all waiting for you.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8BCJ5QZJy
“When will you be back?” She asks.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa1cWiIxOW
“I’m not sure, but leave a window open for me to crawl through,” he winks.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hVt9Dea25
Malich presses his lips against hers one last time before heading back to the Summer Court. The journey appears shorter and shorter each time he takes it. Hopefully in the future, once he figures a way out of his nuptials to Princess Grayson, he can remain within the Seelie Court to rule at Arya’s side.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwdz9WFZVo
When he gets back to his palace he’s surprised to find the Princess waiting for him, her protective detail in tow.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡywyAIvSr2G
His gaze slides to Banon; the princess’ most trusted advisor and the right hand to her ailing father. Banon inclines his head to Malich who returns the gesture. He slides his gaze to the Princess and then to his smiling brothers who’d just come out of his office. copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5Yjy7WNhZ
“Does his majesty make house calls now?” Malich asks.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgw5QF2vFY
“He does when his brother goes missing without word,” Kahlem glares at him.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeusOdXGE0
“Relax brother, I was tending to urgent matters,” Malich waves him off.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡm25klErirJ
“What could be more urgent than your upcoming nuptials to Princess Grayson?”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡijZOpPtrl9
“A stroll through my territory.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡqenUGb7ERM
Malich’s soldiers began to snicker at his response and so did a few of the Princess’ protective detail, earning them a glare from both the Princess and Kahlem. copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdOKyao0sQ
“Do not insult me your highness,” the Princess bristles.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK9Jzzz31U
“Never Princess,” Malich clasps a hand to his heart and inclines his head, “I just don’t take kindly to being pressured.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr8zmPKuuC
As a Princess, he knew she understood the type of pressure he was referring too and understanding shone in her eyes. She smiles and inclines her head. “Well how is this for pressure?” Kahlem closes in on him. “You are to go to the Winter Court where you and the Princess will get to know one another before your impending nuptials in four moons. More importantly, you will familiarize yourself with the Court, its key players and its citizens because once your nuptials are complete, that is where you’ll be living out your days as King of the Winter Court.”copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Q5TofhoI
“As you wish your majesty,” Malich reluctantly nods.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78thS2Rr5S
Arokin, Bevi and Kahlem smirk as they exit his palace. If he could he’d slit their throats before they ever stepped foot outside the front door, but that’s one war he didn’t want to sign up for. He’d be known as a traitor instead of the King he’s meant to be.copyright protection22ＰＥＮＡＮＡlikuRGkCaO
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